Petroleum dealers threaten to protest

Publishes a series of protest programmes The petroleum dealers are launching a series of protest programmes demanding security and adequate supply of petro-products.Nepal Petroleum Dealers' Association (NPDA), the apex body of dealers, today said the dealers would launch a series of protest programmes with a two-point demand including smooth supply of petroleum products and implementation of accords between the government and the dealers in the past.NPDA president Shiva Prasad Ghimire said the new protest programmes have started from today. For June 20, they have planned to stage dharna at NOC offices and depots."Even after these protests, the government and NOC keep silent at ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products, all dealers will stop taking order and buying petro-products from June 21," Ghimire said, adding that the last option with the dealers would be shutting down the pumps throughout the country.

Publishes a series of protest programmes The petroleum dealers are launching a series of protest programmes demanding security and adequate supply of petro-products.Nepal Petroleum Dealers' Association (NPDA), the apex body of dealers, today said the dealers would launch a series of protest programmes with a two-point demand including smooth supply ... ...petroleum products and implementation of accords between the government and the dealers in the past.NPDA president Shiva Prasad Ghimire said the new protest programmes have started from today. They had already issued an ultimatum to the government to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products and arrange security measures for petrol pumps, he said.NPDA has already submitted memorandum to the concerned authorities including Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. It plans to carry out publicity activities from June 16 to 18. The dealers will put black flags at their respective pumps as a part of their protest.NPDA has called a national assembly of dealers in Chitwan on Wednesday, where its 2,187 members across the country will take part, said Lilendra Pradhan, treasurer of NPDA.The fifth day of the agitation will see a protest rally of the dealers, that will gherao NOC head office as well as local depots for an hour. For June 20, they have planned to stage dharna at NOC offices and depots."Even after these protests, the government and NOC keep silent at ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products, all dealers will stop taking order and buying petro-products from June 21," Ghimire said, adding that the last option with the dealers would be shutting down the pumps throughout the country. "The dealers have decided to shut down all the petrol stations across the country from June 23 for an indefinite period unless the demands are met," he warned.Ghimire further said that the NOC has yet not improved the supply even after the price hike of June 9. "The security and adequate supply are our prime demands, which have not been addressed yet," he said.NOC hiked the petroleum prices in the range of nine to 28 per cent last Monday to cope with mounting losses. The NOC also fixed the retail prices for petrol at Rs 100 a litre, diesel at Rs 70, kerosene at Rs 65 and cooking gas at Rs 1200 a cylinder for the Kathmandu Valley.However, the NPDA — defying the government rate — fixed their own retail prices the next day on Tuesday. According to them, the petrol per litre in the Valley costs Rs 100.50, diesel Rs 70.20 and Rs kerosene Rs 65.The consumers think that the 'protest drama' of Nepal Petroleum Dealers' Association is another stunt to mislead the public. They are already pocketing a huge profit from the selling petroleum products.

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